DIY Project: IKEA KALLAX Drinks Cabinet
Cocktail, anyone? This luxe IKEA Kallax hack came together in the space of an afternoon, just in time for happy hour. This darling drinks cabinet is the perfect proportion for a lounge room, parlour or dining room and the type of piece that packs oodles of style, as well as function. Here are the step-by-step instructions to make it yourself and a list of everything you'll need.
Other things you'll need:
- 4 x Lux Hax Styl-Panels. In this luxury hack we use Styl-Panel 1118 in mirrored silver, but we have a heap of other designs to choose from.
- 4 x short screw-in furniture legs. We used these tapered square legs from Bunnings (Australia) but they carry a variety of sizes and shapes.
- 4 x mounting plates in the size to fit your legs. We used these, also from Bunnings (Australia). You can usually purchase mounting plates from the leg supplier.
- Optional: Replacement handles (or you can use the ones supplied by IKEA with its door inserts)
STEP 1: Assemble the Kallax unit
Follow IKEA's instructions to assemble the Kallax unit and door inserts. If you don't have a cordless drill, I recommend that you think about borrowing one for this project. Only because attaching the door inserts to the Kallax unit requires a bit of muscle and a power drill seriously reduces the amount of elbow grease needed. Do not attach the doors to the hinges yet.
STEP 2: Attach the legs
Turn the Kallax unit upside down (on carpet or a soft surface to avoid scratching) so that you can attach the legs to the bottom. If you've bought purpose-made after-market legs for IKEA (eg. from Leg Heads), you should also have ordered base plates that affix with self-tapping screws. Keep in mind that IKEA is made from particle board, honeycomb cardboard and a good measure of air, so a base plate that screws into the particle board is the sturdiest solution. Screw these into position now.
STEP 3: Stick your Styl-Panels to the door fronts
Clean the front of the door inserts with isopropyl alcohol before peeling off the backing and gently sticking on the Styl-Panels.
STEP 4: Add handles to the doors
IKEA Kallax door inserts comes with cute little silver handles or you can swap them out for different ones. IKEA has an excellent range of add-on handles to choose from or feel welcome to browse Lux Hax HANDLES for some gorgeous options like those shown below.
Some of our Styl-Panels for Kallax obscure the pre-drilled handle hole in the insert, while others leave it revealed. (See product descriptions.) Styl-Panel 1118 does obscure the handle hole, but don't let that stop you adding a handle. Our Styl-Panels (metal and foamed PVC) are very easy to drill.
Using a drill bit that's the same size as the IKEA handle hole, drill through the Styl-Panel from the back of door using the existing handle hole. My trick is to make a temporary "sawhorse" out of my kitchen stools. Make sure you put down something soft (eg. tea-towel or newspaper) to protect the Styl-Panel surface from becoming scratched.
STEP 5: Add the doors to the Kallax unit
Fit the doors to their hinges by following IKEA's instructions. Don't forget that the hinges are tune-able. By adjusting the tightness and position of the hinge screws and tuning knob, you can get the door straight and ensure that they open and close properly.
STEP 6: Happy hour!
Carry your darling new drinks cabinet into position and style it like the sophisticated hero piece it is. The last step is to pour yourself a cocktail - you earned it!
We'd love to see photos of your project and to share them with the Lux Hax DIY Tribe. Don't forget to tag us on social (@lux_hax) or email your photos to hello@luxhax.com.
Kylie x
